background two-dimensional (2d) strain is a new reproducible technique for assessing regional myocardial function; however, its application for evaluation of left atrium (la) function is less studied. objectives we sought to assess la function in heart failure patients using velocity vector imaging (vvi). patients and methods thirty five patients (mean age: 43.34 ± 18.1 years, 59.3% male) with ...

Copyright © 2010 Massachusetts Medical Society. A 74-year-old man with a history of hypertension and myocardial infarction that occurred 5 years previously presents with breathlessness on exertion. His current medications include a statin and aspirin. On examination, his pulse is 76 beats per minute and regular, and his blood pressure is 121/74 mm Hg. There is jugular venous distention, lateral...

heart failure is common in patients with chronic renal disease, either as a complication of renal failure or from shared risk factors, or is the major cause of death in patients on dialysis. at present, end stage renal disease (esrd) patients who have systolic heart failure are considered high-risk for surgery; and nephrologists and cardiologists are reluctant to refer these patients for kidney...